MIPTV 2010 – CANNES. Rainbow Media will launch Sundance Channel HD on Eurobird 9A this week with UPC Poland becoming the first operator to take the feed.
The satellite feed is Sundance Channel’s first in Europe. The channel is already available in France and Belgium over fiber optic cable.
“The launch on Eurobird 9A represents a significant move forward in our international expansion strategy for Sundance Channel,” said Ed Carroll, chief operating officer, Rainbow Entertainment Services, in a statement. The Eutelsat Eurobid 9A is positioned at 9 degrees east.
“We have been in the market less than a year and response to the network has been strong. The brand has global resonance and distributors are eager to offer the channel to their viewers. This feed enables MSOs throughout Central Europe to carry the channel with the flip of a switch.”
Rainbow Media introduced a similar feed in Asia late last year that has enabled Sundance Channel to launch in Singapore and Korea, with sister channel WE tv launching in Singapore, Korea and Hong Kong.
UPC Poland is set to be the first European operator to tap the Sundance Channel feed, with plans to launch the channel in Poland next month. UPC Poland is that country’s largest cable television operator, reaching over one million subscribers throughout Poland. Sundance Channel will launch as an HD, 24/7 linear offering with a VOD companion. The English-language channel will feature Polish subtitling.
“Sundance Channel is home to independent, high quality film and documentary productions, thus we are pleased that our customers will be the first in Poland to appreciate its programming offer,” said UPC Poland’s CEO, Simon Boyd.
